When we think of regenerative medicine—using the body’s ability to heal and renew cells more efficiently—we often associate it with medical advancements, such as stem cell treatments. However, in the medical aesthetics industry, where the aim is often to slow down the appearance of aging, experts have been harnessing this regenerative power in new ways. Regenerative aesthetics represents the future of cosmetic treatments, offering a game-changing approach to beauty that leverages the bodyʼs mechanisms to mitigate the effects of aging.
Dr. Terri Phillips, chief medical affairs officer at Merz Aesthetics, says that while much remains to be explored, we are on the cusp of a significant transformation in medical aesthetics. “Currently, there is not an aligned definition of regenerative aesthetics, so Merz Aesthetics is thrilled to be at the forefront of helping to shape the future of this emerging field,” she explains. According to Dr. Phillips, the field is moving beyond superficial enhancements to focus on clinically meaningful cellular rejuvenation.
The Benefits of Enhancing Your Own Beauty
Regenerative aesthetic treatments over distinct benefits over traditional cosmetic procedures. Unlike their counterparts, which often provide immediate but short-lived enhancements, regenerative aesthetic treatments work by improving the skinʼs underlying structure, resulting in long-term results. “These treatments focus on restoring the skinʼs youthfulness by stimulating tissue regeneration,” Dr. Phillips says. “This rebuilds and supports the underlying skin matrix, essentially ʻenergizingʼ the bodyʼs own cells.” This results in improved skin structure, texture and elasticity, providing a more enduring transformation.
Shifting Patient Preferences
The growing interest in naturally regenerating procedures reflects a broader shift in desires as todayʼs patients lean into more personalized solutions. “Weʼve seen consistent interest in medical aesthetic treatments for quite some time now,” Dr. Phillips shares. “But recently, thereʼs been a shift from ʻquick-fixʼ cosmetic treatments to more personalized solutions that enhance oneʼs beauty in a way that feels authentic and natural.” This evolution highlights a growing preference for treatments that offer subtle, long-lasting results over dramatic, temporary enhancements.
Cutting-Edge Collagen Stimulators
At the heart of regenerative aesthetics are innovative treatments that harness the bodyʼs ability to stimulate collagen production. In the filler arena, Radiesse®, composed of calcium hydroxylapatite suspended in a carboxymethylcellulose gel (CMC), comes in contact with the bodyʼs own cells (fibroblasts) causing them to produce essential proteins such as elastin and collagen. “Radiesse adds volume to the area injected while stimulating the body to regenerate its own collagen and elastin, resulting in sustained, long-term improvements in skin health,” Dr. Phillips explains. This treatment not only provides immediate volume but also stimulates the skinʼs regenerative processes, leading to lasting rejuvenation.
Another key player in this field, Ultherapy®, utilizes advanced ultrasound technology to stimulate collagen and elastin production without needles or filler. By visualizing beneath the skinʼs surface, Ultherapy is a treatment you can undergo once a year that delivers targeted energy to areas showing signs of aging. “Ultherapy jump-starts collagen production by generating a thermal effect under the skin, creating a natural li that evolves over time,” Dr. Phillips notes. This non-invasive approach allows for a customized treatment, effectively rejuvenating the skin from within with minimal downtime.
One of the most appealing aspects of regenerative aesthetics is its ability to integrate into busy lives. “Since regenerative treatments typically require fewer sessions and offer longer-lasting effects compared to traditional procedures, patients can easily fit them into their lifestyles,” Dr. Phillips explains. As cosmetic trends continue to evolve towards a more natural look, regenerative aesthetics is poised to become a key component of aesthetic medicine.
A Growing Adoption Among Practitioners
The momentum behind regenerative aesthetics is also evident in the medical community. Dr. Phillips points to a recent survey by MedEsthetics that found 91 percent of practitioners plan to incorporate or expand their offerings of regenerative treatments. “Many practitioners are already equipped with regenerative aesthetics knowledge and treatments,” Dr. Phillips adds. “Patients can start by simply asking their health care professionals about the regenerative options available.”
As we look toward the future, treatments with a more regenerative focus stand out as a transformative force. By leveraging the bodyʼs regenerative capabilities, the future of medical aesthetics includes exciting possibilities for those seeking a more long-lasting and subtle “glow up.”
RADIESSE® IMPORTANT CONSUMER SAFETY INFORMATION
RADIESSE® and RADIESSE® (+) are FDA-approved to smooth moderate to severe facial wrinkles and folds, such as nasolabial folds. RADIESSE (+) is also FDA-approved to improve moderate to severe loss of jawline contour in adults over the age of 21. Do not use RADIESSE and RADIESSE (+) if you have severe allergies with anaphylaxis, known hypersensitivity to any of the components, bleeding disorders, or a known hypersensitivity to lidocaine or anesthetics of the amide type. Common side effects seen in clinical studies of RADIESSE or RADIESSE (+) include bruising, redness, swelling, pain, itching, lumps/bumps at site of injection, difficulty chewing and other local side effects. These are not all the possible side effects with RADIESSE and RADIESSE (+). RADIESSE is available by prescription only – so ask your provider if RADIESSE is right for you. Please see the Patient Information Guide at www.radiesse.com for a list of these events and full safety information.
ULTHERAPY® IMPORTANT CONSUMER SAFETY INFORMATION
The non-invasive Ultherapy® procedure is U.S. FDA-cleared to lift skin on the neck, on the eyebrow and under the chin as well as to improve lines and wrinkles on the décolletage. The most common side effects reported in clinical trials were redness, swelling, pain and transient nerve effects. Reported adverse events from post-marketing surveillance are available in the Instructions for Use (IFU). Please see the IFU for product and safety information, including a full list of these events at Ultherapy.com/IFU.
